EU chief Ursula von der Leyen announced today, during a visit to Lebanon, $1 billion in aid for the country, urging it to tackle illegal migration to the bloc.

The European Union has made deals with Egypt, Tunisia, Mauritania, and other countries to help in the flow of irregular migrants. 

Von der Leyen said, "I can announce a financial package of $1 billion for Lebanon that would be available from this year until 2027," adding, "we want to contribute to Lebanon's socio-economic stability".

In a press conference with Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, she said that the aid is to strengthen basic services like education and health in Lebanon. 

Von der Leyen urged the country to adopt reforms, stressing that "Lebanon needs a positive economic momentum to give opportunities to its businesses and citizens."

She further added that the EU was committed to ensuring "legal pathways open to Europe" and resettling refugees to the bloc, however, "At the same time, we count on your good cooperation to prevent illegal migration and combat migrant smuggling."

Mentioning that the EU had aided Lebanon with 2.6 billion euros to host the refugees, Von der Leyen saidو "We understand the challenges that Lebanon faces with hosting Syrian refugees and other displaced persons."

Lebanon's caretaker PM

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From his end, Lebon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati saidو "We reiterate our request to the European Union... to help displaced people in their own countries to encourage them to return voluntarily, and thus guarantee them a decent life in their country of origin."

"If we insist on this issue, it is to warn against Lebanon becoming a transit country from Syria to Europe, and the problems at the Cypriot border are just one example of what could happen if this issue is not radically resolved," he added. 

Cypriot President 

As for Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, he said, "I am honored to be part of this day because I consider it a historic day."

"I am very confident that this package announced today will enhance the capacity of Lebanese authority to handle various challenges including controlling land and maritime borders, ensuring the safety of its citizens, fight against people smuggling, and continue their fight against terrorism," he added. 

Cyprus urged EU to contain excessive Syrian migrant flow from Lebanon

A day before traveling to Beirut for discussions on April 8, Cyprus’s Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou urged Brussels to tackle the migrant crisis on the island, saying its reception facilities were on the edge of breaking.

“This is a cry for help,” Ioannou told The Guardian, adding, “There has been a very sharp increase [in flows]. We are in crisis mode, reaching our limits.”

Just last week, 800 people traveled on 15 boats for 10 hours from Lebanon to Cyprus, putting the island in what its president, Nikos Christodoulides, called “a state of serious crisis”.

Ioannou said, “Most of those 800 were young males... But they also included nearly 100 unaccompanied children for whom we had to immediately provide guardianship. We strongly believe [Lebanon] should be financially assisted by the EU.”

He reiterated that an aid package like the €7.4 billion ($8 billion) one between the EU and Egypt last month should be discussed for Lebanon as well, as the matter was “gaining traction” within the EU.

Ioannou stressed that "Lebanon has 2 million Syrian refugees," and that it does not "have the capacity to manage their borders which is why they need help."

Christodoulides is due to hold talks with EU President Ursula von der Leyen in Athens on April 7 before flying to Beirut on April 8 with his interior and foreign ministers.